\Hyp"no*tism\, n. [Gr. ? sleep: cf. F. hypnotisme.]
A form of sleep or somnambulism brought on by artificial
means, in which there is an unusual suspension of some
powers, and an unusual activity of others. It is induced by
an action upon the nerves, through the medium of the senses,
as in persons of very feeble organization, by gazing steadly
at a very bright object held before the eyes, or by pressure
upon certain points of the surface of the body.